40ft container dimensions
A 40ft standard container (40GP) measures about 12.03 m long, 2.35 m wide and 2.39 m high inside. It holds about 67 m³, with a typical payload of about 26.5 tonnes.
| Inside length | 12.03 m (39'6") |
|---|---|
| Inside width | 2.35 m (7'8") |
| Inside height | 2.39 m (7'10") |
| Door opening (W × H) | 2.34 × 2.28 m (7'8" × 7'6") |
| Outside (L × W × H) | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 m (40' × 8' × 8'6") |
| Volume | ≈ 67 m³ (2,390 ft³) |
| Tare weight | ≈ 3,750 kg |
| Typical payload | ≈ 26,500 kg |
| Realistic carton load | ≈ 55–58 m³ |
These are typical values and differ slightly by manufacturer and carrier, so check the door plate. The realistic carton load is a common rule of thumb, not a guarantee.
How many cartons fit
| Carton (cm) | Maximum cartons |
|---|---|
| 60 × 40 × 40 | 490 |
| 50 × 40 × 30 | 812 |
| 45 × 35 × 30 | 1,190 |
| 30 × 20 × 15 | 6,540 |
These figures come from the LoadTrue packing engine, with cartons upright and 2 cm clearance at the walls and ceiling, before weight and carton strength. For your own carton, use the container loading calculator.
When a 40ft standard container makes sense
A 40GP suits long cargo and goods too heavy to use the height of a high cube. If your cartons are light and stack safely to the roof, a 40HQ usually gives more space on the same floor.
How many pallets fit
A single layer usually takes about 20–21 standard pallets (120 × 100 cm) or 23–25 Euro pallets (120 × 80 cm).
A 40ft is not twice as strong as a 20ft
A 40ft has about twice the space of a 20ft but a lower payload. Heavy goods may fit better across two 20ft containers. Enter your carton weight in the calculator to see which limit you reach first, or compare with the full container dimensions chart.